Matt Hardigree

Sad news today as I just found out that Detroit News auto critic and all-around nice guy Doug Guthrie reportedly died at his home of natural causes. It's a shock and a loss for many of us in the automotive community.

You'll remember Doug as the guy who showed up with a Camaro ZL1 at Woodward to hang out with Bill Caswell a little while back. Doug was kind enough to show Bill around and share his knowledge of the event.

"Doug is a bit older then me but when we're in a car together we both feel like were 16 years old again," Bill wrote at the time, explaining the spirit that Doug had.

A longtime courts reporter before becoming The News' auto critic in 2012, the 60-year-old Guthrie had a love affair with autos that began during adolescence. Colleagues and industry officials said his columns married his zest for cars with a reporter's attention to detail.

"Doug Guthrie reviewed cars and trucks for The News and our readers never enjoyed a more enthusiastic byline," said Publisher and Editor Jon Wolman.

"Doug was always a positive, uplifting, steady presence in our newsroom," he said. "Young reporters sought his advice and he provided calming counsel. The tragedy of his early passing is felt all the more keenly because the Guthries are family — his wife, Kelley Root Guthrie, is one of our editors."